Island Dispatch, 1997-03-07

              Island  DISPATCH March 7,1997 "As the voice of Grand Island" k *~_4W m Official Newspaper for the Town of Grand Island & the Grand Island School District 20 Pages 650 Vol. 53•N0. 48 (716) 773-7676 Gift to benefit new Town Center by Christopher Caile Randon and Sue Hillock told tlie Dispatch that last week they offered to give tlie Town of Grand Island a three acre parcel of land next to tlie Tops Market for creation of a pond. The offer was made at a meeting at Town Hall on Thursday, Feb. 27, where U. B. Planning students heard citizen and businessman voice input on the town center. The students from U.B.s department of Architecture and Urban Design are developing conceptual designs for the Island's Town Center. Thursday's meeting was the third in a series of information gathering meetings held over tlie last several weeks. The Hillock land could have a wiklflower meadow and the pond could be stocked with fish. Landscaping could also create a picnic grove underneath an existing stand of wild oak trees, said Sue Hillock. "The idea first came to us during one of the Top's planning sessions," said Sue Hillock. "They had discussed a pond at the comer of Grand Island Boulevard and Whitehaven Road. Supervisor James Pax had supported the idea and even asked if they could incorporate a fountain. The idea came up again when U.B. Planning students met with Quality Quest members. We were told Quality Quest liked the idea." Randon Hillock said he agreed with the idea of a pond that Tops had suggested but was concerned about the location because of safety. "To draw citizens to tlie busiest intersection of Grand Island would not be wise. Our property is adjacent to the Tops parcel and would be a safer and a more accessible location." The Top's pond, however, is designed for water retention, a place to store rain and water drain off. It is not known if this same function could be accommodated by the Hillock pond. A SHATTERING EXPERIENCE- The upstairs Town Hall Court room last Thursday had four large windows blown in. They shattered as they hit seating, desks and the floor. The high gusting winds approached hurricane velocity and also did damage to Uie Town Maintenance building. In the Court room glass remained littering Uie floor and until the arrival of insurance adjusters. Sec page 5 for details, (by Christopher Caile) Motorist charged on 33 counts A motorist was observed driving a truck belonging to Sparks Stables on Grand Island, by Deputy Terry Guenot. Deputy Guenot immediately recognized Anthony Riley, 59 Gerald Aye., Buffalo, from a previous arrest. Riley was taken to the Grand Island Substation, and further investigation disclosed he had 33 previous driving suspensions. Also, it is apparent that Riley has never had a driver's license. He was ordered to the Erie County Holding Center by Captain John Gourlay, Erie County Sheriffs Office, in lieu of $3,000 bail. There was a total of 33 charges of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 2, a misdemeanor. GISBA honors Life Technologies as Business Partner of the Year by Danielle Dymek A reception was held on Monday night to honor Life Technologies Inc. (LTI) as the Grand Island School/Business Alliance (GISBA) Partner of the Year. Superintendent Dr. Paul Fields opened the ceremony by explaining that GIBS A was formed four years ago by business people, community members and educators to "break down barriers and build bridges between the community and the schools." Dr. Fields also stated that LTI has participated in almost every level of partnership with the schools. They have taken an active part in the job shadowing program, offered internships, provided scholarships, and donated thirty computers and seven laser printers to the district. LTI has also donated furniture and supplies to the ECO Island environmental study area. Brink Brinkerhoff 111, LTI Vice President, accepted the award with a show of pride and appreciation for his colleagues, introducing them individually. Those from LTI in attendance were Bob Liszewski, Director of Customer Service; Vie Nole, Director of Manufacturing; Second hearing repeat of first by Christopher Caile Wednesday night in tlie second of two scheduled public hearings on the proposed Soutlipointe Adult Life Style. Community, Island residents spoke out four to one against the project In a prolonged hearing stretching from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Kaegebein school 57 people stood up to speak, many referring to notes. The hearing format allowed only comment and reserved time for first time speakers to speak.. TVvose who had spoYtet- al trie previous hearing were asked to wait until new speakers had finished. The hearing began with a brief introduction by Jack Hill, Project Manager for Soutlipointe. He then handed Supervisor James Pax a petition and letters with 1600 names in support of the project. Then Soutlipointe Attorney Deborah Chadsey spoke. She addressed issues of compatibility to tlie Town's 1994 Master Plan. Chadsey outlined the four variations of plans offered since the project's inception. First an entirely residential subdivision. Many people expressed desire for a more commercial venture, she said. They then went back and revised the plan to present an alternate large commercial project with over one million square feet. "This was not a popular project," Chadsey said. Following a physical land use analysis they submitted their third plan that was 50 percent commercial and 50 percent residential. "But this was not much more popular," Chadsey conceded. Their current plan presents a predominately Adult Life Style Community that .also had over 200,000 square feet of commercial space. In concept the commercial portion would be East Aurora in type. But also 34 percent would be preserved for wetlands, woods and open space. She noted this plan was designed to reduce the physical impact on the community. SOUTHPOINTE ATTORNEY DEBORAH CHADSEY SPEAKS AT HEARING- At the start of Wednesday night's Southpointe hearing at Kaegebein School Chadsey spoke for almost 20 minutes discussing the evolution of tlie project and how it matched the goals of the Town's 1994 Comprehensive Plan. In the following public comment portion of tlie hearing Island residents spoke out four to one against tlie project. continued on page 4 continued on page 4